GC 2025 Press release
gamescom set to break new records
11 percent more exhibitors than same time last year +++ entertainment area gets additional hall +++ indie area grows +++ More companies confirm participation +++ Expansion of the esports offering +++ First publisher revealed for gamescom Opening Night Live
“The figures speak for themselves. gamescom 2025 will be bigger, more thrilling and once again the beating heart of the global gaming community. Together with the industry and strong partners, we are set to captivate fans and set new standards,” says Tim Endres, Director of gamescom.
“Preparations for gamescom 2025 are in full swing, and while there are still a few weeks to go, one thing is for sure – at the end of August, the gaming world will once again gather in Germany for the most spectacular and diverse gamescom yet,” says Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association.
High demand – new companies and well-known brands
Interest in participating in gamescom is at a record high compared to last year. In addition to the companies already announced, CI Games, Disney+, Electronic Arts, GIANTS Software, Headup, Kalypso, Konami, LEGO, Level Infinite, Marvelous Europe, Netflix, Paramount, SEGA and Tencent Games have also secured their spots. The current roster of confirmed exhibitors, partners and sponsors now includes:
2K, 9gag, aerosoft, astragon, ASUS, Bandai Namco, BEANS entertainment, Bethesda, Bilibili, Blizzard Entertainment, Capcom, CD PROJEKT RED, CI Games, Disney+, Electronic Arts, Fandom, Focus Entertainment, Freaks 4U Gaming, GIANTS Software, Headup, Hoyoverse, INVEN, Kalypso, Konami, Krafton, LEGO, Level Infinite, Marvelous Europe, Meta Quest, Netflix, Nintendo, Paramount, Pearl Abyss, Roblox, Samsung, SEGA, Super Crowd, team17, Tencent Games, The Game Business, The Pokémon Company, Ubisoft, Wargaming, Webedia and Xbox.
More space for entertainment and indie areas
To meet the high demand, the entertainment area will now include Hall 8, giving even more exhibitors the opportunity to showcase their latest products. Meanwhile, the indie area is expanding into Hall 10.2, occupying half of the hall for the first time.
To help visitors navigate the larger venue, a digital location finder will be introduced. The tool shows your current location in real time, along with saved exhibitors by hall, nearby entrances and exits, and other useful on-site information. The service will be available on mobile devices via gamescom.global starting August 20.
event arena in Hall 1 – program highlights confirmed
For the first time, the event arena will be in Hall 1, featuring an upgraded technical infrastructure for the stage program. Highlights include gamescom Opening Night Live, The Witcher in Concert, a joint performance by Wargaming and the metal band Sabaton, plus a variety of creative formats from the gamescom social stage, such as Viva La Dirt League and the popular cosplay contest.
This year’s event arena will also present two new esports formats – the grand offline finale of “Die Techniker Prime League” on August 24, in partnership with Freaks 4U Gaming and the Fortnite Creator Championship on August 22, co-organized with gamescom LAN and creators Amar and Rohat.
First details announced for gamescom Opening Night Live
This year’s gamescom Opening Night Live will once again be hosted by a powerhouse duo – on August 19, Eefje Depoortere aka sjokz returns as co-host alongside Geoff Keighley.
The first partner confirmed for this year's show is Activision, who will be presenting the worldwide reveal of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.
The press release of game – The German Games Industry Association on the main theme and trends of this year's event can be downloaded here.
About gamescom:
gamescom is the world’s largest and leading event for computer and video games. It brings together the international gaming community and entire games industry in a unique way, both in person in Cologne and digitally.. gamescom 2025 will take place from August 20 to 24. The event will kick off on August 19, 2025 with gamescom Opening Night Live. gamescom is jointly organized by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association.
Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the gaming sector:
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the gaming and entertainment segments. Hosted at the trade fair grounds in Cologne, Germany, gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. gamescom brings together passionate gamers, trade visitors, and exhibitors from across the world with a highly effective approach – in person at the venue and digitally from anywhere in the world. This makes gamescom the premier B2C, B2B, and B2G gaming event. In addition to the event at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio internationally: In Singapore, gamescom asia provides an additional powerful industry platform for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific games market, comprehensively combining supply and demand. Koelnmesse Brasil is a subsidiary of Koelnmesse GmbH in São Paulo, dedicated to promoting and organising world-class trade fairs and events in Brazil. The mission is to bring global innovation, knowledge and business opportunities to various industries.
game – The German Games Industry Association
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.
Further information:
www.gamescom.global
The next events:
devcom, Cologne, Germany, 17.-19.08.2025
gamescom, Cologne, Germany 20.-24.08.2025
gamescom asia, Bangkok, Thailand, 16.-19.10.2025
gamescom latam, São Paulo, Brazil 29.04.-03.05.2026
Note for editorial offices:
gamescom photos are available here: Image and video database | gamescom
Press releases can be found at: Press releases gamescom - If you reprint this document, please send us a sample copy.
Your contacts:
Marvin Grollius
Public and Media Relations Manager
Phone: + 49 (0)221 821 2265
e-mail: m.grollius@koelnmesse.de
Simon Krenkel
Public and Media Relations Manager
Phone: +49 176 12562720
e-mail: s.krenkel@koelnmesse.de